Pakistan witnessed an auspicious beginning in the arena of test cricket in 1952, a couple of years after the time of independence in 1947 and, since then, their cricket team has witnessed numerous glitzy victories and humiliating defeats and has undoubtedly evolved beyond measure.
Over the decades, Pakistan has produced numerous legendary cricketers in the test format, including some of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time, like Imran Khan and Shaheen Afridi and some of the most dominant batsmen of all-time, like Javed Miandad, Babar Azam and Younis Khan. While Pakistan’s cricket team has witnessed its share of disheartening defeats in the test cricket format, it has also made roaring comebacks that have left cricket aficionados from all over the world entirely shocked.
In this article we will take a look at the top three greatest comebacks made by Pakistan’s national cricket team in test cricket.
Top 3 Greatest Comebacks Of Pakistan In Test Cricket
Pakistan vs India, 3rd Test At Karachi, 2006
At the first spot in our list of the top three greatest comebacks of Pakistan in the test cricket format we have the iconic “India vs Pakistan” encounter at Karachi in 2006. The Pakistan side faced arch-rivals India at National Stadium, Karachi in 2006 and the drama behind each delivery was indeed intense and fierce. Although the Pakistan side witnessed a disastrous beginning, losing a total of six wickets for a total of 39* runs, Kamran Akmal‘s unbeaten innings of 113* runs off 48 deliveries added a whole new exciting twist to the match.
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Additionally, Pakistan’s bowling, until fiercely led by Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzak, also played a major role by dismissing India’s top-order batting lineup and picking up the most crucial wickets, including Rahul Dravid and Laxman, leading Pakistan to a phenomenal victory by 341* runs.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Colombo Test Series, 2009
At the second spot in our list of the top three greatest comebacks made by Pakistan’s national cricket team in test cricket, we have their ruthless and highly dramatic encounter with the Sri Lankan national cricket team during the third test of Pakistan’s 2009 tour of Sri Lanka.
Although Pakistan had already lost the first two tests, their resilience to make a comeback against Sri Lanka remained unabated. When Pakistan required a target of 168* runs to defeat Sri Lanka, Younis Khan and Misbah-Ul-Haq undoubtedly provided great stability to the Pakistan side with a total of 23* runs and 22* runs respectively. Additionally, Faisal Iqbal and Kamran Akmal flawlessly led Pakistan to a four-wicket victory, avoiding a series whitewash with an unbeaten 62*runs-stand.
Pakistan vs England at Abu Dhabi 2015 Series
Well, Pakistan’s on-field rivalry with England has undoubtedly intensified over the years and the Abu Dhabi 2015 Test Series still serves as a testament to this fierce rivalry between the two teams. While Pakistan posted a formidable total of 523* runs at the loss of eight wickets in the first innings, England’s explosive batting unit, including Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes, outpowered the Pakistan side and gained a 75* run lead, declaring a total of 598* runs at the loss of 9 wickets.
Although Pakistan, trailing by 75* runs, witnessed a shaky start in the second innings, Sarfraz Ahmed (36 off 37 balls) and Asad Shafiq (46 off 109 balls) steadied the innings. Pakistan reached 173/6, and with time running out on the final day, bad light intervened, leading to a draw.
